Star Trek has endured as one of the longest-running science fiction franchises of all time. With 5 shows totalling 28 seasons of Trek TV, and 12 (soon to be 13) movies, it's no wonder the franchise continues to gain new life. Even with poor performers like Star Trek: Enterprise, or the large amount of fan criticism for the recent movie revival, Star Trek continues to boldly go where no one has gone before.

The franchise celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2016 - and less than a year after Star Trek Beyond (the 13th film in the series overall and the third movie in the rebooted Star Trek continuity) sets sail in theaters, Star Trek will be returning to the small screen for the first time since Star Trek: Enterprise was cancelled in 2005.

CBS has officially announced that a new Star Trek TV series is in development, with a tentative January 2017 premiere date in mind. The series will kickoff with a broadcast premiere episode first, before it is then made available exclusively in the U.S. on CBS All Access. Furthermore, the show will be executive produced by Alex Kurtzman - who co-wrote and produced the J.J. Abrams-directed Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) - through his Secret Hideout production banner, along with Heather Kadin (Limitless) and CBS Television Studios.

Here is the official logline for this new Star Trek TV show:

The brand-new Star Trek will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966.

David Stapf, President, CBS Television Studios, also issued the following statement, regarding the Star Trek franchise's return to television:

“There is no better time to give Star Trek fans a new series than on the heels of the original show’s 50th anniversary celebration. Everyone here has great respect for this storied franchise, and we’re excited to launch its next television chapter in the creative mind and skilled hands of Alex Kurtzman, someone who knows this world and its audience intimately.”

Star Trek Convention Announced For New York For 50th Anniversary

Star Trek's film revival in 2009 set up the idea of an alternate timeline in the Star Trek universe, consisting of the two newest films. Nothing is yet known about the plot of this new TV show, though given Kurtzman's involvement, it could take some cues from the rebooted Star Trek movies (more than its predecessors), in term of its style and approach to the larger Star Trek universe.

And yet, fans all around the world have been heard clamoring for a return to the classic style of Star Trek, since the revival provided a tonal shift from the original movies and TV show alike. It seems clear that producers are listening to fans, so perhaps the story will support a similar tone to the original Star Trek TV series from the 1960s (albeit with modernized effects and issues, naturally). We look forward to learning who will be serving as the head showrunner on the Kurtzman-produced Star Trek TV series, for more insight regarding that matter.

Star Trek Beyond opens in U.S. theaters on July 22nd, 2016. The new Star Trek TV show will debut on CBS in January 2017.

Source: CBS